apperceive

[ap-er-seev]

verb (used with object)

Psychology.

apperceived, apperceiving 

1. to have conscious perception of; comprehend.

2. to comprehend (a new idea) by assimilation with the sum of one's previous knowledge and experience.

apperceive

/ ˌæpəˈsiːv /

verb

1. to be aware of perceiving

2. psychol to comprehend by assimilating (a perception) to ideas already in the mind

Other Word Forms

• unapperceived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apperceive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Old French word aperceivre. See ap- ¹, perceive

Word History and Origins

Origin of apperceive¹

C19: from Old French aperceveir, from Latin percipere to _perceive

Example Sentences

It may include facts which have fallen within the sensory field, but which have never been supraliminally "apperceived" or cognised in any way.

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He can not apperceive it so as to permit him to gratify my claim; but there is enough appeal in the claim to induce him to write a whole article in justification of his refusal.

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It is when you have fully apperceived the object that your conception is complete.

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That they did not have sufficient "apperceiving basis" I cannot believe, for they were generally bright and clever.

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They stated the view with a rash emphasis, until one is forced to ask whether a mind which is originally nothing at all, can absorb, or as psychologists say, "apperceive" anything whatever.

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Related Words

• anticipate 
• appreciate 
• believe 
• discern 
• feel 
• grasp 
• notice 
• perceive 
• realize 
• think 
• understand